IT'S Shakespeare, it's a B-movie, it's a cult musical and it's here.Return To The Forbidden Planet is on stage now and will be getting Brantham rock n rolling until the weekend.

IT'S Shakespeare, it's a B-movie, it's a cult musical and it's here.

Return To The Forbidden Planet is on stage now and will be getting Brantham rock n rolling until the weekend.

The ambitious production by Brantham Amateur Theatrical Society (BATS) opened on Monday and is the culmination of months of hard work.

The musical is a challenge for any amateur group to stage as all cast members are required to not only act and sing but also play musical instruments.

"It's the biggest and most ambitious show we've ever done," said director and co-producer Mark Wilson.

"We knew that we were quite fortunate as we had already got actor musicians within our company and we thought we'd never have another chance to do this so we just said 'Let's go for it'."

Return To The Forbidden Planet is often referred to as Shakespeare's forgotten rock 'n' roll masterpiece and mixes Shakespearean language and references, with a spoof 1950s B-movie and lots of rock 'n' roll music from the fifties and sixties.

It has already proved a smash hit in the West End.

The BATS production is at the village hall until Saturday and marks the last show by Mark and his co-producer Keith Nixon.

After 19 years producing and 26 years performing in the Brantham pantomime, during which time they have helped BATS win numerous awards, including the NODA Regional Award twice, they are handing over the directorial and production reins.

Return To The Forbidden Planet is at Brantham Village Hall until Saturday . Tickets cost £5 and are available from Co-op Foodstores (Sutton's News) in the village or by calling 01206 393773.